Need to get an opinion on visiting the Rhine falls while in Switzerland...What is the best way to get to the falls?? how long does it take??? Is it really worth a visit???

I'm sure others can provide more detailed directions on how to get there.

I went there in 2003, simply because I wanted to see the "largest waterfall in Europe".

All I can tell you is that when I got there, I was like, "this is it???" Not worth it, IMHO.

However, I enjoyed my visit to the nearby town, Schaffhausen.

Remind us where in Switzerland you would be traveling FROM...
Basel??????

yk..i will be travelling from Zurich..

It's an easy day trip from Zurich - i like yk loved the town of Schaluffhausen and from there i walked on nice Rhine-side paths the few miles to the falls which i also enjoyed. there is actually a train station right at the falls. I had already seen most everything within reach of Zurich and there are many day trips more whatever than the falls IMO - like Einselden for the monastery, Lucerne, Engleberg, Lake Constance, etc.

When I went, I drove from the Lauterbrunnen-Interlaken area on the autobahn until we turned north toward Schaffhausen.
We followed the signs and approached from the south and pulled into a big parking lot.

That to me seemed to be the easiest way to get there. By train, it all depends on your point of origin.
From the west, Bern for example, you go via Zürich.
There is a local train fron Basil Bad Bahnhof that goes to Schaffhausen with many stops.

Is it worth it? I thought so, and I have seen Niagara, Chutes Montmorency and a few others. I would call Rhinefalls more of a turbulent cascade, but it is still a total barrier to shipping. I found it it interesting just for the sheer scope of it all.

On the south side where I was the viewing area allows you to get "up close and personal" with the cataracts.

I'm not sure what criteria is used to destermine "the biggest" waterfall in Europe, height? water flow? I found Gulfoss in Iceland was more impressive. Rhine Falls can't compare to the larger waterfalls I've seen, especially Victoria Falls. Nevertheless, as I travelled around Switzerland I constantly saw pictures of Rhine Falls (on postcards, in tourist brochures, etc); had I not been I would probably have felt that I should have made the effort to go.

Since you plan on visiting from Zurich, Rhine Falls is very easy to get to. There are regular S Bahn trains from Winterthur to Schaffhausen which stop at the falls. The station you need is Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall, on route S33.
Stations are announced on the train, so you'll know where to get off. The station at Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall only has one platform (at least that was the case when I was there), so before you get on a train to leave, make sure the train is travelling in the right direction, to either Winterthur or Schaffhausen. There is a viewing platform about 5 minutes walk from the station, it's an easy walk but there are some stairs to climb up/down.

Hope this helps.